Parachute release



July 22, 1.947. F C, ANDERSON 2,424,215

PARACHUTE RELEASE Filed Oct. 16, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 sa .5| @zu 4| 2 I9 2O .fw n ze r" l5 ll 57 I6 u se as 3 July 22, 1947. F. c. ANp-:RSON 2,424,215

. PARACHU'I'E RELEASE Filed Oct. 16, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 Il l: 49 il FRANK C. ANDERSON.A

Patented July 22, 1947 UNITED STATES PATE NT oFF-ICE i (Granted under the act of March .3,. 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to releasing gear and more particularly to a parachute release for automatically releasing the load from its parachute when the load hits the ground.

In the parachutes heretofore used, particularly cargo parachutes, no provision has been made for separating the cargo pack from the parachute when the former lands, land as a consequence the parachutes drag the packs affixed thereto along the ground for some distance before collapsing. This dragging not only tends to damage the pack and its cargo, but often deposits the pack at a point remote from that intended, or where it first strikes the ground. 'I'hi-s objection also applies to parachutes used for personnel. Release of the pack also permits the parachute to collapse immediately, thus avoiding any tearing thereof by being blown against fences, trees and like obstructions.

The violent gyrations of the pack and parachute incident to the dropping thereof from a plane and the opening of the parachute require that the contact releasing gear be proof against any accidental operation thereof during this initial period regardless of the nature of the stresses placed thereupon. It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide means for detaching a parachutes load from the parachute as soon a-s the load contacts the ground.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for releasing ia load from a parachute upon contacting the ground, but which remains locked against release for a, predetermined period after the parachute opens.

A further object of the invention is to render the means for releasing a load from a parachute in condition -to operate a short time after the parachute has opened.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for separating a load from its parachute which is inoperative when dropped from the plane, but arms itself after a predetermined time interval so that the load hitting the ground actuates the releasing means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for disconnecting a, pack or person from a parachute which is positively locked against release for a predetermined interval of time after the parachute opens and then placing the means inv condition such that a jar thereof will actuate the releasing means to disconnect the pack or person from the parachute.

A further object of the invention is to provide a timing device for controlling the armingof a parachute release which is operated by the tension in the release during descent of the parachute and its load. y

Other objects of the invention will be more fully disclosed in the following description andclaims.

According to the invention, the release comprises separable means having one part or element thereof affixed to the parachute and the other to the pack. These elements are normally held together by coupling means afiixed to one element and adapted to engage the other. Means for locking the coupling means in a position suchthiat it will hold the elements together are provided. Means for unlocking the coupling means is associated with a time delayed device to permit the parachute to open and, with its pack, to settle down to an even rate of descent after dropping before the device is armed. That is to saythe means coupling the twoelements of the release together cannot operate to permit separation o-f the two parts until after the lapse of a predetermined period of time after the parachute opens.. ,At the expiration of the period, the cou-4 pling means continues to hold the two elements together, butthe locking means therefore is no longer operative. Jarring the release with the coupling means unlocked permits disengagement of the coupling means whereupon the elements separate, one remaining with the parachute and the other with the pack. The time delay means operates under the tension existing between the elements duringnormal descent of the pack and parachute. While the description herein made refers to cargo packs, it is obvious that the invention may be practiced in connection with parachutes used yto drop personnel, boats, etc.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view in elevation of the parachute release.

Fig. 2 a plan view of the release taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the release taken along lthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View of the release with the dogs unlocked and holding the parts together ready for release upon any relative movement between the two parts.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the release immediately after relative movement of the elements to release the dogs to unlock thel two elements so that they may separate.

The two elements of the parachute release comprise a cylinder I I and a plug I2 removably fitted into, the end of the `cylinder and mounted on a rod 43. One end of the cylinder is closed and 'composed of packing,

is increased slightlyadjacent the open eridfthereoi for an axial distance corresponding roughlyto the thickness of the neck of the plug and the thickness oi the piston for a purpose subsequently described.

The plug I2, has a neck the open end of the cylinder. jects laterally from the upper end of the neck and overlies the end of the cylinder'l I. The neck I1 is reduced in diameter at to permit mounting a pair of oil sealing rings I9 and 20 thereon y the cylinder. The plug has a central aperture 2I and a recess 22 aligned therewith to receive pa'cking 23. end ofthe plug by screws annular flanges and the packing. ture 28 which is in alignment with the apertre zriirthe plug. The outer end of the plug lz'is I1 which fits loosely in the lower end thereof to engage the inner wall of"l A glarfd 2'4"," attached to 'the inner I 25, has axially directed" 26 and 21 for retaining-the rings YThe -gland'has 'anakial' apr-fv provided with a diametrical groove 2li-extending from oneside ofi the' plug 'to the other and-of a depth less than the thickness of the flange I8.

"lhejineans forreleasably holding or coupling the two parts together 4comprises a pair of dogs 3U and 3l pivotally mounted on the plug I2. -Th'e dgsjv are in the form o bell cranks and are piv otall'y mounted "on pins 32 and 33, mounted transversely ofthe groove 29 adjacentthe ends thereof. The inner arms 34 and 35 ofthe bell-cranks 4 ed arrangement shown. The rod extends through the aperture 2l of the plug and aperture 28 of the gland 24 and projects above the plug, terminating in a clevis 49 adapted to be attached to a parachute (not shown).

The diameter of the piston rod and the spacing between the adjacent ends of the arms 34 and 35 is such that when the rod is placed therebetween as shown'in-Fig. l, the dogs are prevented from rotating under the inuence of the springs and are held so that the hooks 38 and 39 are positioned beneath the lip I6 which they will engage upon movement of the plug out of the cylinder, thus preventing-separation thereof. The plug I2 and cylinder II are therefore locked together as long asthe piston rod prevents any movement of the dogs.

To unlock the dogs, the rod 43 is provided with a section-thereof of a reduced diameter forming a neck 48. This neck is formed on the rod at a point which will place the neck adjacent the free ends of the arms 34 -and 35fof the dogs 30 and 3I whenfthe piston isfatfthe upper end of the cylinder I I. "The configuration 'of the neck is substantiallyl the same as the path-of-theffree end ofeither of thearmswhen pivoting about -thepin's upon which they'ar'emounted. Thus it will be seen that when thepisto'n is vat the upper end of the cylinder, Fig-L4; the neck 48of the rod 43 is so positioned with respect to the'free ends of the dogs that the rod offers 'no obstruction to any movement thereof" and the dogs arefree to rotate under the influence of'theirrespective :springs when the hooks disenga'gethe lip, Fig.'5. J l i Tleplug YI2 is provided with a transverse aperture 5I normalv to the-groove 29 which is adapted operate inthe groove and'rtle adjacent endstl'ierof" are spaced 'ai'short distance apart for a purpose subsequently describedl" The outer arms 36' and "31 f project 'outw'ardly 'and downwardly therefrom 4in a position adjacent the side'of the cylinder II.v The outer ends ofthe arms 36 and stare provided with hooksy 38 and 4:it df' a confy iiguration adapted to engage the lipA I6 of the aange is.

The lengthl ofthe arms 36and 31 is suilcient to permit the hooks 38 and 39 to clear the 'lowest edge of the up of the plug VI2 'seats upon cylinder I I. Leaf springs I6V when the ange I8 the open end of the 40 and 4|"serve tourge the dogs '36 and 3| to rotate i a direction 'tending to swing Vthe `arms 36' and'd31; thereof'away from the cylinder.Y Thesefsprings each" have one endinserted iifslotsfcutfinto theedge of the -flange i Iabneatii tne'en'ds er the groove 29 andare fastened Iilflererrv 'any 'suitable lneans, Such asm soldering. The free ends of shallow grooves ,cut in the innersid ofthe v-arms 36 and 3I which serve as guides therefor Any other means of urging the dogs t'ov rotate may,` of

the springs rest in course, be' used and that shownis iorillustrative purposes only, Y

The means for controlling the locking of the dogs and for introdu i'rigl y control` thereo'fcompris'e's a piston' 42anda'pistoirrod 43. The pistonoperates'm cylinder and is provided'with apiston ring 44'v shown't as alent'means may be"used,held theretoby' a'washer-45 affixed to'the'pistonby'screwsf46; Small" apertures or bleeds 41 'are drilled'through thef'pis;l

@drawers Septime@ sich" este? threes" `a-ti`me "interval into the though anysuitabl'e' equivl The-fluid in the cylinder flows through the bleeds' 41 when the pistonis'forced to the'upper end of- 4 the cylinder dueto thetension caused by the pack, and provides a means for'regulatingY the lperiod of time required'tofarmthe device by moving the lneck r48 toa position adjacent the arms 34' and 35 of4 the^d0gs. `Theop'eration of the release is as follows:` The clevis 49 is attached to a parachute and the ear- I3 to a cargo pack. The cotter pin50'is removed Vand the parachute land'v pack dropped.' Rotation of thedogs, under influence' of 'the springs,` to' remove the hooks38 and 39from under the lip I6, is prevented because the free ends of the arms l 34 and `35 ,offthe dogs engagethepiston rod 43 which; is {recto-'slide therebetween. yWhen the parachute snapsfopena' pull isexerted onthe piston rod'43 and the piston which tends-toA force the plugout ofthe'cylin'der by the force transf mitted to the plug by means of the uid lin'the cylinder. `The plug does move a small distance tofpermitthe hooks Y3i! and 39'to engagethe lip I6, Thepull exerted on the piston' rod 43 Ytends to move the pistonv4-2ftowards the plug and therate of 'movement-thereo-is controlled by the rate off flow ofoil throughl the bleedsy 41 in the piston; -It has been determined thata period ofl0 seconds i should elapse between opening offthefparachute and arming of the release to permit the cessation of'4 the'violent gyrationsdncidentto the initiale opening of the parachute. With the structure shown cil having a viscosity of SAE 30 and a 170 pound pack will produce such period. Other combinations of viscosity and size of the bleed may be used to obtain the same or different time interval. The packing 23 and oil rings i9 and 2B serve to prevent leakage of oil from the cylinder.

As the piston reaches the top of its stroke, Fig. 4, it passes into that portion of the cylinder having the larger bore in order that the piston may, in that position, be readily withdrawn from the cylinder without binding. When so positioned the piston abuts the plug and the neck 43 is then adjacent the ends of the arms 34 and 35 of the dogs and the rod no longer serves to lock the dogs in position to engage thecylinder. The dogs are then held into engagement with the cylinder solely by means of the hooks gripping the undercut lip I6 and because of the cooperating shape of the hooks and lip, disengagement thereof cannot be effected as long as there is tension between the plug and cylinder.

When the pack hits the ground, the jar thus caused forces the cylinder and plug together, Fig. 5, relieving the tension between the elements and causing the lip I5 to disengage the hooks 38 and 39 thus releasing the dogs 3i] and 3l which immediately rotate about pins 32 and 33 under influence of the springs 4Q and 4I, freeing the plug from the cylinder. Since the neck 48 of the rod 43 is adjacent the ends 34 and 35 of the dogs, no obstruction to their movement is presented and they assume the position shown in Fig. 5. The parachute then pulls the rod, piston and plug out of the cylinder to disconnect it from the pack which remains where it lands. The parachute, upon release of its load, tends to collapse immediately.

The device may be reassembled for further use by merely inserting the piston 42 in the cylinder Il, an operation facilitated by reason of the enlarged bore of the cylinder adjacent the open end, the dogs are then held with the arms 36 and 3l adjacent the cylinder and the rod push into the cylinder to remove the neck 48 from a point adjacent the ends of the arms 34 and 35 of the dogs, thereby locking and holding them in position to engage the lip on the cylinder. The device, when refilled with oil, is then ready for use.

While I have described the preferred form of my invention I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details as shown but wish to avail myself to such variations and modifications as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A parachute pack release comprising a cylinder having a closed end and an open end, an undercut ange around said cylinder, a plug adapted to fit in the open end of said cylinder, a bell crank pivoted to said plug, said crank having a hook at one extremity adapted t0 engage said flange and prevent disengagement of said hook from said cylinder, a spring urging said crank to move said hook away from said flange, an aperture in said plug, a rod extending through said aperture, said rod engaging the other extremity of said crank to hold said hook adjacent said flange, said rod having a reduced section thereon to free said other extremity of said crank to permit movement of said hook away from said flange, a piston in said cylinder aixed to said rod, a bleed in said piston, said cylinder having a fluid therein to regulate the movement of said piston, whereby the weight of the pack will move the rod to position the reduced section thereof to free the said crank for rotation upon relative movement of said cylinder and plug.

2. A parachute pack release comprising a cylinder closed at one end, a rod projecting from said cylinder, means for regulating removal of said rod from said cylinder, a plug closing the end of said cylinder and through which the said rod projects, and means for releasably holding said plug and cylinder together comprising a bell crank pivoted to said plug, said crank having one arm adapted to engage said cylinder and another arm bearing on said rod to hold said one arm in engagement with said cylinder, a spring acting on said crank to rotate said one arm out of engagement with said cylinder, said rod having means thereon for freeing the said other end when said rodis partially withdrawn from said cylinder to permit rotation of said crank, whereby said one arm will disengage said cylinder upon relative movement between said plug and cylinder.

3. In a parachute pack release a first means attachable to a load and comprising a cylinder having one open end and a flange around said cylinder having an undercut lip, a second means attachable to a parachute and comprising a rod, a piston attached to one end of said rod and adapted to fit in said cylinder, means for coupling said rst means to said second means comprising a plug adapted to close the end of said cylinder through which said rod passes, cranks pivoted on said plug, one end of said cranks having hooks adapted to grip said lip, the other ends of said cranks adapted to abut said rod to hold said hooks in position to engage said lip, springs urging said hooks away from said lip, said rod having a reduced section adapted to be moved adjacent the said other ends of said cranks to free the cranks for rotation after an interval of time governed by the movement of said piston in said cylinder, whereby relative movement of said plug and said ilrst means caused by impact with the ground will free said hook from said lip to permit separation of said first and second means.

FRANK C. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,373,386 De Freitas Apr, 10, 1945 2,386,932 Cooper Oct. 16, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 118,090 Australia Feb. 2, 1944 

